Opinions: FW to gooseneck adapters?

DSteiner51 wrote:

Dayle1 wrote:


But to be complete it isn't just weight changes that occur while stationary but also the dynamics at 65 mph which you haven't calculated. Bottom line, every fifth wheel frame is weaker than GN frames, they frequently fail w/o extra stress, so risk of a failure does increase with added stress of a GN extension. Every owner can find out for themselves but one success does not guarantee the same results on another fifth wheel.

Explain the difference going down the road at 65 mph, please. I see very little difference. The difference is in off road soft fields for the gooseneck while very few RVs get those stresses. Again, two entirely different applications. While you are at it maybe you would also like to enlighten us to why almost all frame failures are on fifth wheel hitches instead of those converted.

The goose box places the same stresses on the frame as an adapter yet is approved. The difference? Who gets the profits.

First off, how many people take a GN into "soft fields"? If/when they do, they sure as hell aren't going 65 mph unless they have a death wish. I wouldn't take one =empty= down a well-graded dirt road at that speed, either. Your argument doesn't hold water. The simple fact is that you're comparing apples to oranges. They're both round, about the same size and considered fruits, but that's about as far as you can go. GN and FW RVs are simply too different to compare beyond the fact that they both have wheels and hitch in the TV's bed. Because of this, trying to convert a FW (especially a heavy one) RV into a GN by using the adapter places undue stresses on the FW frame and can cause failures. Not saying that it =will= do so, but the chances that a failure will occur are higher than if you use a traditional FW hitch. I do think that the Andersen is a much safer alternative than the adapters, even though I've never even seen one, just because it moves the hitch point up into the same plane as a regular FW hitch. I love my B&W Companion and don't ever see myself with anything else, but, were I to change, the Andersen will get some serious consideration.

Lyle

Dayle1 wrote:

DSteiner51 wrote:


Two entirely different applications. The gooseneck pictured is designed to be towed off road in soft fields with two 1500lb hay bales up against the hitch putting lots of stress on the hitch. It is also designed that when those bales are unloaded one can load a skid steer or two or even a trackhoe from the back. This puts lots of stress the opposite way when loading.

The 5th wheel RV sees nothing even close to the stresses of the gooseneck. On mine the max weight shift is when my wife and I finish watching TV and go to bed. A max weight shift of approx 360lbs not 5000 - 6000lbs.

The frames are entirely different for a good reason and anyone who uses this example to force their opinion screams their ignorance for all to notice.

But to be complete it isn't just weight changes that occur while stationary but also the dynamics at 65 mph which you haven't calculated. Bottom line, every fifth wheel frame is weaker than GN frames, they frequently fail w/o extra stress, so risk of a failure does increase with added stress of a GN extension. Every owner can find out for themselves but one success does not guarantee the same results on another fifth wheel.

That, and the fact that a =smart= GN owner also =balances= his load to prevent excess pin weight, even on a heavy tow vehicle. A GN frame, GVW to GVW, is just flat built heavier-duty.

Lyle

Dayle1 wrote:


But to be complete it isn't just weight changes that occur while stationary but also the dynamics at 65 mph which you haven't calculated. Bottom line, every fifth wheel frame is weaker than GN frames, they frequently fail w/o extra stress, so risk of a failure does increase with added stress of a GN extension. Every owner can find out for themselves but one success does not guarantee the same results on another fifth wheel.

Explain the difference going down the road at 65 mph, please. I see very little difference. The difference is in off road soft fields for the gooseneck while very few RVs get those stresses. Again, two entirely different applications. While you are at it maybe you would also like to enlighten us to why almost all frame failures are on fifth wheel hitches instead of those converted.

The goose box places the same stresses on the frame as an adapter yet is approved. The difference? Who gets the profits.

WTP-GC wrote:
I'm surprised that there hasn't been more "haters" coming out against the GN Adapter. That product line usually takes a beating on this forum, though there's little evidence to support their supposedly bad characteristics. Just like so many other discussions, people mainly repeat what they've heard over and over again. I don't think anyone has ever posted an actual warranty document that showed the language of voiding a warranty due to this (not that I'm saying it doesn't exist).

However, to me the GN Adapter is not something that should be considered now that the Andersen UH is available. If you're looking at a GN Adapter to more reasonably accommodate your exiting setup, then the Andersen fits the bill too. Also, the Andersen UH is comparable in price to a good GN Adapter. As an owner of the Andersen UH Alum version, I'm head-over-heels impressed and satisfied.

OK, I will play devil's advocate! GN adapter gets installed once. Andersen comes in and out of the truck as one switches back and forth between trailer types. If the trailer manufacturer ok's it then go for it. Chris

IdaD wrote:
Look into an Andersen ultimate hitch. It gives you the advantages of a gooseneck with none of the drawbacks that go along with the adapters. My rail mount version blows away any traditional fiver hitch I've ever used when it comes to ease of installation, use and smoothness going down the road. It works really well in rough terrain, too.

I will give you ease of installation and removal, and a small increase in CC and cheaper. The comparison ends there, as many high quality traditional 5th wheel hitch perform as well or better on the road, unless you feel bed fix smooths out the ride. However yours is the rail model so the whole bed issue is a non issue for you.

DSteiner51 wrote:


Two entirely different applications. The gooseneck pictured is designed to be towed off road in soft fields with two 1500lb hay bales up against the hitch putting lots of stress on the hitch. It is also designed that when those bales are unloaded one can load a skid steer or two or even a trackhoe from the back. This puts lots of stress the opposite way when loading.

The 5th wheel RV sees nothing even close to the stresses of the gooseneck. On mine the max weight shift is when my wife and I finish watching TV and go to bed. A max weight shift of approx 360lbs not 5000 - 6000lbs.

The frames are entirely different for a good reason and anyone who uses this example to force their opinion screams their ignorance for all to notice.

But to be complete it isn't just weight changes that occur while stationary but also the dynamics at 65 mph which you haven't calculated. Bottom line, every fifth wheel frame is weaker than GN frames, they frequently fail w/o extra stress, so risk of a failure does increase with added stress of a GN extension. Every owner can find out for themselves but one success does not guarantee the same results on another fifth wheel.

Gooseneck trailer frame....large beams, heavy struts/bracing



5th wheel trailer frame......horizontal beans, boxed structure/bracing

Two entirely different applications. The gooseneck pictured is designed to be towed off road in soft fields with two 1500lb hay bales up against the hitch putting lots of stress on the hitch. It is also designed that when those bales are unloaded one can load a skid steer or two or even a trackhoe from the back. This puts lots of stress the opposite way when loading.

The 5th wheel RV sees nothing even close to the stresses of the gooseneck. On mine the max weight shift is when my wife and I finish watching TV and go to bed. A max weight shift of approx 360lbs not 5000 - 6000lbs. Yes I do tow mine thru soft fields to dry camp. 14+years with gooseneck adapter and no problems.

Notice the difference in a tractor/trailer lowboy trailer or a 53ft trailer frame? Extremely different for totally different applications.

The frames are entirely different for a good reason and anyone who uses this example to force their opinion screams their ignorance for all to notice.

Note: My new fifth has a fifth hitch because of short bed and slider hitch, not because of stresses.

If you want nothing in your truck bed but a rotating/hidden ball, the Star Performance Kingpin Adapter with built-in Glider motion has worked well for me and minimizes any chucking unless the road is REALLY bad.

The ReeseGoosebox is junk. Broke my front crossmember on a REALLY BAD pothole (any hitch might have done the same as the pothole also disabled my transmission... AND knocked my wife's 8lb Kitcheaid mixer OUT of the sink it was laying in). Shortly afterwards the bending action bent the Reesegoosebox. Reese wouldn't even give me a new Goosebox within the 1 year warranty as it wasn't their "fault". Also you're supposed to grease the coupler EVERY tow, and after almost every tow the airbag lost enough air through its pressure relief valve, it needed to be refilled and the thin air hose would take a long time to refill the bag.

Every shop I have ever been to has a forklift with a ball on the fork to move trailers. It is the same ball as a tt just have to lift a little higher. Exactly the same as my gooseneck 5er

Chris

TXiceman wrote:
The Andersen hitch is NOTHING like the Goose Neck adapters or the Reese Goose Ball.

The additional stress on the pin box area is negligible compared to the G/N adapter.

The folks I have seen using the Andersen hitch are happy with them and report no problems. The negative on the Anderson set up is you have an attachment attached to where you normally have a 5th wheel pin. The shops are generally not set up to handle this when it is in for service. Same issue with a G/N adapter.

Ken

I can't speak to the G/N adapter, but the Andersen adapter can be removed in ten minutes or less. Not much of an issue if you need service.